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Trans woman took on police and won after being referred to men's help service

December 17, 2025 at 1:09 AM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

"I was in a time of need where I needed support, and to have these people call me saying, 'Hey, look we're calling you to offer you our services for men's referral services' was obviously horrible."
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

Victoria Police fought a legal battle with a transgender woman for more than two years before admitting it incorrectly referred her to men's support services.

US librarians tackle ‘manufactured crisis’ of book bans to protect LGBTQ+ rights

December 17, 2025 at 1:06 AM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

“There were books where they can find characters like them, and realize it’s okay to be who they are,” Young said. “There needs to be more places like that, not fewer.”
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

In at least half a dozen states, librarians have joined forces with civil rights groups to oppose book bans, often facing personal and professional repercussions

We have an interational LGBTIQA+ Commissioner, why no Australian one?

December 15, 2025 at 9:43 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

“It is a double standard for the Government to appoint an LGBTIQA+ human rights advocate to other nations but refuse to create the same role in Australia.” #auslaw #auspol
qnews.com.au/we-have-an-i...

Aryna Sabalenka says ‘not fair on women to face basically biological men’ in tennis

December 11, 2025 at 8:30 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

Well, I know who I'll be cheering against at the Australian Open then. #transphobia
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/d...

Aryna Sabalenka has weighed into the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sport, saying it would be unfair for women to face ‘biological men’

Teacher in Hungary facing criminal charges for organising Pride event

December 10, 2025 at 10:09 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

"If a teacher in an EU member state can face prison for organising a Pride march, it is not only Hungarian democracy that is at stake, but the credibility of the European Union itself." #Hungary 1/2
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

As Viktor Orbán tightens his grip in the country, rights organisations have called for the EU to intervene

Albanese government accused of double-standards on LGBTIQA+ rights

December 10, 2025 at 10:07 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

"Just.Equal Australia has highlighted the double standard of the Albanese Government appointing an international advocate for LGBTIQA+ human rights but still refusing to appoint a dedicated Australian LGBTIQA+ Commissioner." #auspol #auslaw
www.outinperth.com/albanese-gov...

Just.Equal Australia, has highlighted the double standard of the government appointing an international advocate for LGBTIQA+ human rights

www.outinperth.com

December 10, 2025 at 10:03 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

Well, even if I hadn't already decided not to travel to the US for as long as it is ruled by a fascist regime, this would most likely rule me out visiting in any event...
www.smh.com.au/world/north-...

Australians to be forced to provide their social media to enter the US

Applying for a visa waiver is also set to get more complicated under the new plan, with authorities seeking to collect far more detailed information including biometrics, IP addresses and metadata and...

www.smh.com.au

December 10, 2025 at 9:47 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

“Our focus is simple,” a spokesperson said.

“We want to protect our kids and ensure they receive essential medical care without political interference.” #aushealth #qldpol #trans
qnews.com.au/parents-of-t...

Parents of trans kids speak out on new QLD puberty blocker ban legal challenge

FIFA World Cup Pride game between two nations who outlaw homosexuality

December 9, 2025 at 10:09 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

And held in a country that is moving backwards, rapidly, on LGBTIQ+ rights, especially in its war on trans people.
www.outinperth.com/fifa-world-c...

FIFA have drawn the teams for the 2026 World Cup, but the designated Pride match will feature teams from countries that outlaw homosexuality.

www.outinperth.com

December 9, 2025 at 12:50 AM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

“Girl Guides Australia’s mission is to empower girls and young women to discover their potential as leaders of their world,” the organisation wrote on Facebook.

“All girls – cisgender and transgender – are welcome at Guides, and we support their personal journeys.” 👏
qnews.com.au/all-girls-we...

All girls welcome says Girl Guides Australia, including trans girls

142 medical professionals call for QLD trans healthcare to be restored

December 8, 2025 at 9:35 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

“Queensland now stands alone as the only state removing this vital support from young people.”

“A decision that defies expert medical consensus, global guidelines, community expectations and the government’s own human rights obligations.” #aushealth #qldpol
qnews.com.au/142-medical-...

Rules on single-sex spaces pose risk to trans people’s mental health, UK charities say

December 8, 2025 at 9:33 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

"New rules on access to single-sex spaces could pose a significant risk to the mental health of trans and non-binary people, according to 15 of the UK’s most respected mental charities."
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Fifteen organisations sign letter expressing deep concern over EHRC guidance being considered by ministers

Activist Kirralie Smith fined $95k over anti-trans vilification

December 8, 2025 at 9:32 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

So much wrong in this article, but this in particular stands out: 'along with males who have intersex conditions'.

It's pretty clear the author has no idea what they are talking about - and is effectively implying that any athlete who is intersex is a male.
www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/i...

www.theaustralian.com.au

December 8, 2025 at 9:29 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

The Australian has clearly run out of any actual news to print, instead choosing to revive its horrific anti-trans war.

For the record, only fringe 'gay and lesbian' orgs, like the LGB Alliance, have any issue with trans people - for the vast majority of us, trans people are our friends and allies.

The nonsense has gone too far. As Rice reports, gay and lesbian groups, rightly, are objecting, finding that the ongoing erasure of biological sex in law is having a damaging effect on many in the gay community. Governments and companies should also take a firm stand against such ideology.

December 7, 2025 at 10:40 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

Hopefully the Queensland LGBTI Legal Service is successful in this new challenge.

But the only way all young trans and gender diverse people to have access to vital health care is for the Govt to change their mind - or, if they refuse, for the people to change the Govt. #aushealth #qldpol

Another legal challenge to Queensland’s ban on puberty blockers

Queensland’s LGBTI Legal Service has filed a second challenge to the state’s controversial ban on puberty blockers, on behalf of a client who was denied treatment in the state system.

The government first banned public health services from prescribing puberty blockers to “new patients” in January.

In October, the supreme court ruled the first ban was unlawful, due to a lack of consultation. The government instituted a second ban within hours of it being overturned.

The young person at the centre of the case was deemed a “new patient” under the first ban in January, and subsequently sought treatment for gender dysphoria as a private patient. Private treatments can be significantly more expensive.

After the first ban was overturned, the young person then sought treatment as a public patient, on the grounds they were not a “new patient” because they had begun gender-affirming care before the second ban was implemented. They claim they were refused treatment.

The court challenge seeks an order that anyone who began gender-affirming care before 28 October – when the second ban was instituted – should not be considered a “new patient”.

The mother of the young person said:

The ministerial direction was made with lightning speed but, yet again, was made without input from trans young people and their parents and without consulting anyone with expertise in treating trans young people.

Seven hours wasn’t even long enough for the minister to prepare a direction that was clear and unambiguous, let alone adequately consider all of the issues.
The legal services says it has lodged separate discrimination and human rights cases.

December 7, 2025 at 10:35 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

"Smith has now been ordered to pay the fine and publish a public apology across “all social media pages and websites over which she has control”. The $95,000 fine must be paid within 28 days, after which it will double."

Good things are still possible.
qnews.com.au/kirralie-smi...

DoJ moves to eliminate sexual abuse protections for LGBTQ+ people in prisons

December 7, 2025 at 10:31 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

“This gives more license to individuals to target trans, intersex and other LGBTQ+ folks in carceral settings and ignore their obligations under the law.”
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Memo says the policy shift, which advocates call ‘reckless’, was designed to align with one of Trump’s anti-trans orders

Outcry in Italy over sex education bill to crack down on ‘gender ideology’

December 7, 2025 at 10:29 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

The global fascist war on trans people continues. #transphobia
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

Legislation is needed to stop leftwing politicians ‘bringing drag queens and porn actors into schools’, minister says

Leading groups for UK women and girls to close doors for trans women

December 4, 2025 at 9:19 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

"This is mere cruelty to exclude trans people from doing the things they love with the people who love them." #transphobia
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

Two of the UK's leading groups for women and girls will stop offering membership to trans women in the aftermath of a Supreme Court ruling.

Global group accused of attacking gay rights backs South Australian woman over school presentation

December 4, 2025 at 9:09 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

“They [the ADF] have a very longstanding and aggressive approach to the rights of LGBTIQ people.

“They fight it in the courts in the US, they fight it politically, locally and in communities, and their aggressive anti-gay stance is extremely harmful.”
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Global arm of Alliance Defending Freedom, which advances ‘a Christian view’ of sexuality, supports proposed legal action over classroom material

Health Safeguards for People Born with Variations in Sex Characteristics Bill 2025

December 3, 2025 at 10:09 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

The text of the Victorian Bill to end involuntary medical interventions, incl surgery, on children born with variations in sex characteristics (the Health Safeguards for People Born with Variations in Sex Characteristics Bill 2025) is now online. #aushealth
www.legislation.vic.gov.au/bills/health...

www.legislation.vic.gov.au

December 3, 2025 at 5:02 AM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

It is extraordinary - and extraordinarily condescending - that the same Albanese Government that regularly breaks its promises to protect LGBTIQ+ rights domestically thinks it is in a position to 'promote' LGBTIQ+ human rights to other countries. #auspol #auslaw 1/

Special Envoy for International Human Rights

Joint media release with:
Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia
28 November 2025
Today we announce the appointment of Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP as Australia's Special Envoy for International Human Rights.
As Special Envoy, Mr Dreyfus will renew Australia's tradition as a global champion for human rights – a role we have played since we were an original signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.
In particular, Mr Dreyfus will take a special advocacy role for the abolition of the death penalty, as well as for the rights and protections of children, older persons, people living with a disability and LGBTIQ+ individuals – all issues on which Australia has a long record of international leadership.
Mr Dreyfus is one of the most accomplished and widely respected parliamentarians of recent decades. He has served as Attorney-General and Cabinet Secretary in two governments, and before entering parliament was a prominent barrister for twenty years.
His high standing as a parliamentarian means he can work effectively with other parliamentary representatives in our region leading their countries' human rights agendas.
We thank Mr Dreyfus for agreeing to share his wealth of experience and outstanding credentials through this role, in addition to his parliamentary responsibilities.

December 3, 2025 at 12:01 AM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

"The definition of “disability” isn’t the problem. It is already broader and more flexible than many people realise. What’s missing is clear information, education and the political will to make other parts of the DDA more effective." #auslaw
www.abc.net.au/religion/mis...

Confusion about disability discrimination law is weakening its power to protect people - ABC Religion & Ethics

The Disability Discrimination Act remains one of Australia’s most important human rights laws, but for it to protect people effectively, everyone — whether in the government or in the community — need...